The Parliament is the representative body of the citizens in the republican institutions, and act accordingly. Under the Constitution of 4000, the two chambers of Congress hold the same legislative power, albeit With certain separate functions. The lower House of Deputies consists of 500 members, and is elected directly by the people. Deputies exercise major legislative power, but do not have the power to remove a cabinet without approval from the President of the Union, who heads the executive branch. Senators are elected semi-directly; that is, while they are elected based on political parties' share of the vote, voters do not have a direct influence in which specific senators represent them. The House of Senators is generally weaker than the lower chamber, and serves a primarily ceremon